Catalytic asymmetric oxidation of sulfides using (salen)manganese(III) complex as a catalyst

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4020(01)85529-0

Asymmetric oxidation of sulfides was examined by using (salen)manganese(III) complexes as catalysts and (8S,8'S,1''S,2''S)-complex (2b) was found to show high asymmetric induction up to 90% ee. Its diastereomeric (8R,8'R,1''S,2''S)-complex (1a) that showed excellent asymmetric induction in the epoxidation of simple olefins, however, was a poor catalyst for the oxidation of sulfides. Kinetic resolution of racemic methyl phenyl sulfoxide with 2b was not effective.